Out of 26 million Texans, you may have an idea to change the world. You may have had several ideas to change the world. But only a tiny minority of you pushed through the U.S. Patent office from application to successful patent. We've seen Texans change the world many times over. Jack Kilby did it with Texas Instruments in 1958 with the integrated circuit, causing the start of the digital revolution, which, in part, is why you can read these words over your electronic device.
Over the last few years, Texas Business has brought its feature: Texas Business Patent of the Day. This list is of the ones that were either extremely clever, odd or strange. One thing becomes apparent from these patents and the patent that runs daily in Texas Business—Texans have a unique mind set.
Though the history of the Corn Dog is disputed, the State Fair of Texas claims to have introduced the Corny Dog sometime between 1938 and 1942. As a paean to that invention that now sits in the freezer section of every grocery store in the southwest, here are the fried foods the State Fair of Texas has introduced, or tried to introduce, in the last seven years.
Dead Texas musicians live on every time you hear their songs. Their songs play everywhere, so the dead Texas musicians appear to be immortal. Here's the short list.
Don't get caught up with John Wayne religion. For one thing, he's not Texan. He's in some fine movies involving Texas, most notably The Searchers, but none of his movies can make the best cut of Texas movies. Here's the short list.
Unsung Texas Business Journalists Mention that one is a reporter, and there's a spark of interest. Mention that one is a business news reporter, and watch the eyes glaze over. Except to the players, business and economic journalists are unappreciated. While many wish to become sports reporters when they grow up, most do not realize that business journalists cover the Real Game. Mention that reporter covers business, and watch the eyes glaze over. A toast to these below on the short list and the numerous unnamed ones slogging away. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Mexican Food: The Short List No, we're not going to debate the difference between Tex-Mex, Mex-Tex, Mexican and Texican food. Just know these establishments are the pinnacle of Texas Mexican fare. No brag, just fact. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Best Texas Burgers Texas Burgers. . While a hamburger is merely sustenance and gratification for a meal, the memory a good Texas burger can give rise to Homeric odes. The short list. Full Story » TexasBusiness.com
Texas Business reports: AUSTIN - U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announced Tuesday that Texas’ North Tarrant Express project has entered the final stage to receive $415 million under the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (TIFIA) financing program, advancing a project that will address safety and congestion.
The North Texas project includes improvements to sections of I-35W and construction of an interchange at I-35W and I-820.
In addition, the project develops multimodal managed lanes to serve the region’s public transportation providers.
The portions of I-35W slated for improvement currently rank 5th and 25th on the list of Texas’ most congested roadways. The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) North Tarrant Express application requested $537 million in Fiscal Year 2012 TIFIA credit assistance.
In recent years, TxDOT sought funding for North Tarrant Express improvements from the U.S. Department of Transportation TIFIA credit assistance, TIGER III and TIGER IV programs. Funds for the Fiscal Year 2012 TIFIA program were appropriated in the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act for 2012.
“I’m thankful that Secretary LaHood and the U.S. Department of Transportation will partner with us on the North Tarrant Express with this significant award,” said Bill Meadows, a member of the Texas Transportation Commission from Fort Worth. “This would not have been possible without the constant support of the community's public and private sector leaders. The North Tarrant Express project will address congestion in a corridor critical for national and international trade, improving our region’s transportation network and advancing the development of multimodal managed transit lanes to serve our region’s public transportation providers.”
TxDOT has planned for I-35W improvements with its local partners while seeking a funding award. Construction could begin in 2013, subject to a final agreement with TxDOT’s project partners, and subsequent determination of legal sufficiency by the Attorney General and Legislative Budget Board approval.
The Texas News Scrawl is a handy reference to stories Texas Business recommends from other news sources. Some of the stories that Texas Business currently suggests include: America’s greatest threat: Unsafe work conditions; The West News proves the value of a great weekly newspaper in a community torn up with grief and chaos; Chinese investors checking out Texas, Austin; Texas makes bounce house operators carry liability coverage, but not plants like West Fertilizer; bSpaceX’s Grasshopper leaping to NM spaceport;American Airlines, US Airways to name post-merger leadership within weeks; Texas power cushion seen at lowest level in a decade; Media outlets reflect Houston's diversity; and more.
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